Incubator.



No. 774,076. PATENTED NOV. 1, 1904. W. H. HUGHES.

INGUBATOR.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 3. 1904.

N0 MODEL. BSHEETS-SHEET 1.

7& /l J] 60,55 .50 12/ I Z 4 wax.

PATENTED NOV. 1, @904.

W. H. HUGHES.

INGUBATOR.

APPLICATION Hum my a. 1904.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

110 MODEL.

w m y w z A 77'OHINE rs Patented November 1, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM H. HUGHES, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

INCUBATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 774,076, dated November1, 1904. Application filed May 3, 1904. Serial No- 206,l3l. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM H. HUGHES, a

citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of New York,borough of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, h aveinvented a new and Improved Incubator, of which the following is a full,clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to incubators, and has for its principal objectsthe provision of an eflicient apparatus of this class.

It consists in the various features and combinations hereinafterdescribed, and more particularly claimed.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part ofthis specification, in which similar characters of reference indicatecorresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of my invention. Fig. 2is a longitudinal section therethrough on the line 2 2 of Fig. 3. Fig. 3is a horizontal section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2; and Figs, 4, 5, and 6are vertical sections on the lines 4 4, 5 5, and 6 6, respectively, ofFig. 2.

G designatesa main or outer casing, which may be constructed of wood andsupported upon legs 10. As here illustrated, this consists of a primarysection 11, constituting the egg-chamber or incubator proper, and anextension 12, which may contain the heatingchamber. As here shown, thisextension is made separable from the other portion of the casing, beingsecured thereto by hooks 13. The portion 11 of the casing may beinsulated in any desired way to prevent the loss of heat, as by doublewalls 14, while the extension 12 is preferably covered with some suchheatresisting material as asbestos, which is indicated at 15. Thiscasing-section 12 may also,

if desired, be constructed of sheet metal to render it entirelyfireproof. Between the two chambers is a wall 16,'reaching across thecasing from the bottom part way to the top.

Within the heating-chamber is a heatingcasing 17 which may be formed ofsheet metal and separated from the casing-walls by inner and outer sidespaces 18 and 19, respectively, a top space 20, and an end space 21,

while at the opposite side from this last-named space the heating-casingextends to the main casing, which furnishes a wall 21 therefor. In thebottom wall of the heating-casing is a preferably central opening whichmay be surrounded by a protective bushing 22, and through this bushingextends a source of heat, here shown as a lamp 23, having its chimneyreaching to a point at about the center of the casing and resting upon asuitable support 24, which may be suspended from the under side of theouter casing. The products of combustion from the lamp may escapethrough an opening 25 through the upper portion of the wall 21, and toprevent too direct escape of the heat therethrough a deflector 25 isinterposed between it and the lamp, extending from the wall below theopening across the heating-casing in proximity with the side walls, butseparated from the end wall by a considerable space at 25*.

At the opposite side of themain casing from the heating-casing near itslower portion are provided air-inlet openings, here shown as three innumber, the central being designated as 26 and those upon each side. ofit as 27 27. Through the wall 16 are three corresponding openings 28 and29 29. These openings are connected by passages lying side by sidefurnished by a partition 30, which may beof sheet metal bent to angularform to provide separating-walls 31 and opposite positioningwalls 32.The conduction of the heat through this metal partition may be preventedby a floor 33, preferably of wood, placed above. it. The passageconnecting the openings 26 and 28 delivers into the space 18, whilethose joining the openings 27 and 29 communicate with passages 34 34,formed below the heating-casing and leading to the space 19.

Supported in the egg-chamber is a suitable egg-tray 35, and above this,preferably adjacent to the top of the wall 16 and at opposite sides ofthe casing-section 11, are supports or cleats 36, upon which restdistributers. distributers are shown as consisting of bars 37, of anydesired number and of such width as to leave spaces between them for thecirculation of the heated air. At one end each These bar is providedwith a projection 38, ing through a slot operat- 39 in the support.while through the slot in the opposite support (this I being on the sidewith a door 40,which gives access to the chamber) projects a threadedmember or bolt 41, carrying upon the under side of the supportathumb-nut 42. This arrangement permits the distributers to be slidalong their supports and fixed in the desired position.

At the end of the casing farthest from the heating-chamber is asubstantially vertical partition 43, furnishing with the wall of thecasing an extended outlet-passage 44, which opens at 45 through the topof the casing, This partition preferably extends at least to the planeof the under side of the distributers, so that the air must pass belowthese latter before it can escape. In the top of the casing, here shownas in substantially the center axis thereof and at a point adjacent tothe opening between the heating-chamber and egg-chamber, is a secondoutlet-opening 46. Both of these openings may be surrounded by flanges47, with which coact closures or dampers 48. The dampers for theopenings 45 and 46 are controlled in position by auto matic regulatingmechanisms R and R, respectively. Each of these may consist of a lever49, fulcrumed to a fixture 50, secured upon the top of the casing, andfrom this lever depends a pivoted rod 51, extending into the upperportion of the egg-chamber and carrying a closed vessel or controllingmember 52, which may contain any desired expansible fluidfor example,ether. To balance the damper and controlling member, a counterweight 53is provided.

In use the lamp within the heating-casing is lighted, it taking itssupply of air outside both this and the main casing and discharging theheated air through the opening 25. In its passage from the lamp to thisopening about the deflector the heat from the lamp will be imparted tothe walls of the casing 17, and they will in turn raise the temperatureof the air introduced through the inlet-openings and circulating aboutthe heating-casing through the spaces between it and the main casing,this circulating air, however, being without communication with thatinside the heating-casing. The regulator R of the egg-chamber will benormally open, while the regulator R is closed. The air will thereforepass from the top of the egg-chamber down between the distributers,which are adjusted to uniformly defiect it upon the eggs E, lying uponthe egg trays. It then rises and escapes through the outlet-opening 45.If the temperature within the egg-chamber becomes higher than isdesired, the regulator R is so adjusted that its damper will open andallow a portion of the air to escape through the opening 46 immediatelyupon its entrance into the chamber. If,

on the other hand, the supply of heat is insuf- I ficient, the damper ofthe opening 45 will close and so remain until the heat has increased tothe normal.

It will be noticed that the inlet for the fresh l air which is to bepassed through the egg- 1 chamber is removed to the greatest possible iextent from the lamp and from the outlet of l the heating-casing, sothat it is practically impossible for it to become contaminated by thefumes of the burning hydrocarbon, which if brought into contact with theeggs would be liable to injure them. The heating-casing itself has nocommunication with the eggchamber, and therefore no danger can arise rfrom this source. The distribution of air about this casing causes it tobecome economically and uniformly heated, and the distributers insure aneven application of heat to the l eggs. The regulator R releases theexcess of heat at a most effective point before it can impart its hightemperature to the eggs, while the regulator R will retain the heat upona fall of temperature for a long time by acompleteclosureoftheoutlet-openings. Thecontrolling means for both theseregulators are l situated over substantially the center of the Iegg-trays, so that they are under the influence l of the averageconditions in the egg-chamber.

Having thus described my invention, Iclaim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent- 1. An incubator comprising a main casing containingan egg-chamber and a heatingl chamber, and a heating-casing within theheating-chamber, the main casing having inletpassagcs leading to theheating-chamber at opposite sides of the heating-casing.

2. An incubator comprising a main casing containing an egg-chamber and aheatingchamber, and a heating-casing within the heating-chamber, themain casing having inletpassages extending below the egg-chamber andleading to the heating-chamber at opposite sides of the heating-casing.

3. An incubator comprising a main casing I containing an egg-chamber anda heating chamber, and a heating-casing within the heating-chamber, themain casing having three inlet-passages extending side by side below theegg-chamber, the center passage leading to the heating-chamber at theside adjacent to l the egg-chamber, and the outer passages be- I ingextended below the heating-casing into the heating-chamber.

4. An incubator comprising a main casing containing an egg-chamber and aheatingchamber, and aheating-casing within the heating-chamber, the maincasing having an inletpassage leading to the heating-chamber, and theheating-casing having an outlet at one side of the main casing.

5. An incubator comprising a main casing containing an egg-chamber and aheatingchamber, a heating-casing within the heatingchamber, the maincasing having an inletpassage leading to the heating-chamber and theheating-casing having an outlet at one side of the main casing, a sourceof heat entering the heating-casing, and a deflector extending betweenthe outlet-opening and the source of heat.

6. An incubator comprising a main casing containing an egg-chamber and aheatingchamber,-,a heating-casing within the heatingchamber, the maincasing having an inletpassage leading to the heating-chamber and theheating-casing having an outlet at one side of the main casing, a sourceof heat entering the heating-casing, and a deflector extending from thewall of the heating-casing below the outlet-opening and above the sourceof heat and into proximity with the adjacent casingwalls.

7. An incubator comprising a casing, an egg-tray situated within thecasing, means for supplying heated air to the casing, distributersarranged between the source of heated air and the egg-tray, and meansfor adjusting the distributers.

8. An incubator comprising a casing, an egg-tray situated within thecasing, means for supplying heated air to the casing, and separateddistributing-bars arranged between the source of heated air and theegg-tray, the casing having an outlet-passage leading from below thebars. 7

9. An incubator comprising a casing, an egg-tray situated within thecasing, means for supplying heated air to the casing, and distributersarranged between the source of heated air and the egg-tray, the casinghaving an outlet-passage leading from below the distributers through thetop of the casin 10. An incubator comprising a casing, an egg-traysituated within the casing, means for supplying heated air to thecasing, supports disposed above the egg-tray, and bars movable upon thesupports.

11. An incubator comprising a'casing provided with a. plurality ofinlet-openings and containing an egg-chamber and a heating-r chamber,and an angular partition in the eggchamber forming separate passagesconnecting the inlet-openings with the heatingchamber.

12. An incubator comprising a casing containing an egg-chamber and aheating-chamber communicating therewith, the casing having anoutlet-opening adjacent to the point of communication between thechambers, and an automatic regulator coacting with the opening.

13. An incubator comprising a casing containing an egg-chamber and aheating-chamber communicating therewith, the casing having anoutlet-opening adjacent to the point of communication between thechambers, and a second outlet-opening at the opposite side of theegg-chamber from that first named, and an independent automaticregulator coacting with each opening.

14. An incubator comprising a casing containing an egg-chamber and .aheating-chamber communicating therewith, the casing having anoutlet-opening adjacent to thepoint of communication between thechambers and a second outlet-opening at the opposite side of theegg-chamber from that first named, an independent automatic regulatorcoacting with each opening, and controlling means for both regulatorssituated near the center of the eggchamber.

15. An incubator comprising a casing, an

eggTtray-Situated within the casing, means for supplying heated air tothe casing, distributers arranged between the source of heated air andthe egg-tray, the casing having an outlet-passage leading from below thedistributers through the top ofthe casing, and an au' tomatic regulatorcoacting with the passage.

In testimony whereof Ihave signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM H. HUGHES.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM FRENCH FOSTER, H. WM. GRIMMEL.

